Tequila brand co-founded by comedian Hart is giving back

Label commits to closing wealth, opportunity gaps

Kimberly Redmond//March 2, 2023

A premium tequila brand created by actor-comedian Kevin Hart and Juan Domingo Beckmann, the founder of Jersey City-based liquor company Proximo Spirits, is funding a new program that aims to address wealth and opportunity gaps that have long affected diverse entrepreneurs across the U.S.

Launched in partnership with national nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC), the first round of the initiative, which is named after the Gran Coramino Tequila label, is awarding $500,000 in grants to Black and Latinx small business owners, the brand announced in a March 1 press release.

Of the 50 businesses selected, 50% are Black-owned, 36% are Latinx-owned, and 14% are Black-and-Latinx-owned. Additionally, 68% are women-owned ventures, according to Gran Coramino.

Actor-comedian Kevin Hart and Juan Domingo Beckmann, the founder of Jersey City-based liquor company Proximo Spirits, launched the Gran Coramino Tequila label. — Actor-comedian Kevin Hart (pictured) and Juan Domingo Beckmann, the founder of Jersey City-based liquor company Proximo Spirits, launched the Gran Coramino Tequila label. – GRAN CORAMINO

As part of a commitment to close racial wealth and opportunity gaps for aspiring minority entrepreneurs, Gran Coramino – which was developed in partnership with Global Brand Equities and made its market debut in May 2022 – donates $1 from every bottle sold to support diverse small business owners.

Taking that pledge a step further, Gran Coramino named LISC as its first impact partner and unveiled plans to build a sustainable giveback program that provides financial resources and learning opportunities to small businesses.

Lisa Glover, LISC chief executive officer, said, “Black and Latinx entrepreneurs have historically lacked access to financial resources and learning opportunities, restricting their businesses’ ability to expand and thrive.”

She went on to describe the partnership as “impactful” because it will help provide “vital resources to an exceptional group of small business owners around the country, who in turn support our local communities.”

Hart said, “Juan and I always knew we wanted Gran Coramino to have a give-back component that focused on providing Black and Latinx entrepreneurs with resources to pursue their small business dreams.”

“Teaming up with LISC last year to launch The Coramino Fund in the U.S. was the start of that journey. Today, we are honored to recognize the 50 inspiring, hard-working entrepreneurs from around the country who were selected by LISC to receive a cash grant from The Coramino Fund,” he continued.

To learn more about the 2023 grantees – which include NYCSE LLC, a streetwear boutique in Englewood, and Valdez Institute of Self Defense , a martial arts school in Union City – click here.

Future grant opportunities with LISC and The Coramino Fund will be announced here as they become available.